COUNTRY OF ORIGIN Belgium.
MOST SUITED AS Historically herding dogs, now family pets.
SIZE
The shoulder height is about 62cm (24 in) for dogs and 58cm (23 in)for bitches. The breed standard permits both sexes to be 2cm (3/4 in) shorter and 4cm (1 1/4 in) taller.
COAT
This breed has a long-haired coat with an undercoat. Groenendael Belgian Shepherds are black with perhaps some white on the chest and feet. Tervueren Shepherds are red, mealy brown-grey, and every variety of brown to grey, with a black muzzle.
CARE REQUIRED
Do not brush or comb these dogs too much since this can damage the underlayer of the coat. During moulting use a coarse-toothed comb to make the coat more respectable in appearance.
CHARACTER
These dogs are energetic, alert, intelligent, eager to work, very lively, and attentive. Both breeds like to be close to their owner in the home.
TRAINING
Both breeds need to have their confidence strengthened as puppies. Take them to new places and let them, under control, make acquaintance with different people and animals. Make sure these meetings are positive in nature.
They learn quickly and react well to the voice of the handler. Hitting and screaming are both unnecessary and likely to have an adverse effect. A gentle but determined hand works wonders with them. They are suitable for various types of sports, particularly agility competitions, and fly-ball.
SOCIAL BEHAVIOUR
These breeds get on well with their own kind, cats, and other pets provided they have met them when young. So long as children treat them well, they present no problem with children. They tend to be rather shy with strangers.
EXERCISE
When both breeds get sufficient outdoor exercise, they are calm. Most examples of the breed are crazy about retrieving and playing with a ball.
Tervueren and Groenendael Belgian Shepherds Organisations in Australia
No club information listed
Tervueren and Groenendael Belgian Shepherds Organisations in the UK
Belgian Shepherd Dog (Groenendael) – The Kennel Club
Tervueren and Groenendael Belgian Shepherds Organisations in the US
American Kennel Club – Belgian Sheepdog
BSDCC – Belgian Shepherd Dog Club of Canada, Groenendael
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